Synthesis and Diels–Alder reactions of α-fluoro- and α-trifluoromethylacrylonitriles

A novel synthetic method for the preparation of α-fluoro- and the still unknown α-trifluoromethylacrylonitriles is elaborated. The reaction of α-fluorovinylbromides and α-trifluoromethylvinylbromides with CuCN leads to the title compounds in good to high yields. While the α-fluoroacrylonitriles were isolated as mixture of Z/E-isomers, the α-trifluoromethylacrylonitriles were obtained as pure Z-isomers. The α-trifluoromethylacrylonitriles are shown to be excellent dienophiles for Diels–Alder reactions.